The value of loyalty is that it allows the recipient to feel secure in a world where almost nothing is absolute. In these circumstances, loyalty has become a highly valued quality in today's society. Unfortunately, true loyalty is a difficult quality to acquire, as it requires the servant to have intense love for their master. Other loyalties are not as effective because there are often temptations that can influence them. In Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, the importance of loyalty is most clearly seen through the relationship between Mark Antony and Enobarbus, Antony's most faithful servant. Although Enobarbus has true loyalty to Antony, his human knowledge forces him to reconsider his loyalty. Enobarbus considers Antony a fool. Antony's madness comes from his relationship with Cleopatra. Enobarbus tries to convince Antony to follow the right course of action, but Antony consistently does the opposite by taking Cleopatra into account. This forces Enobarbus to choose between his loyal duty to Antony and what he sees as the right path. Meanwhile, Caesar's temptations give Enobarbus another master to serve under. The play sees a systematic deterioration in Enobarbus's ability to remain faithful and ultimately, he chooses to leave Antony. Enobarbus' betrayal hurts Antony greatly, but more importantly, it destroys Enobarbus. He does not realize that his loyalty, by being a true loyalty, binds him eternally to Antoine. Ultimately, his loyalty proves absolute, but this is only shown with tragic consequences. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay At the beginning of the play, Enobarbus is quickly identifiable as Antony's closest confidant. Enobarbus comforts Antony in conversation. Antoine discusses at length the most private and important subjects. Enobarbus fits comfortably into the role of best friend since he is Antony's most loyal servant. At the end of the conversation, Antony makes a request and Enobarbus responds: “I will not” (I, ii, 193). The simple nature of this sentence shows Enobarbus' unquestionable loyalty to Antony. This serves to give the highest starting point from which Enobarbus's loyalty can only fall. The first time conflict between Enobarbus and Antony occurs is during the first political meeting with Octavian Caesar. Antony reprimands Enobarbus, saying: “You are only a soldier, speak no more” (II, ii, 108). Enobarbus, who feels justified in what he has said, replies: "This truth must be silent, I have almost forgotten" (II, ii, 109). This sarcasm does not please Antoine since he sees it as a challenge to his authority in the face of his greatest rival. Antony reprimands Enobarbus more severely who then reluctantly concedes. The forced resolution of this conflict leaves Enobarbus slightly bitter and lays the groundwork for his loss of loyalty. The catharsis that causes Enobarbus to question his loyalties is fear. Enobarbus is afraid of the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra. To him, it is clear that Cleopatra is detrimental to Antony, particularly because Antony is unable to control his desire for her. In a conversation with Maecenas, Maecenas says, “Now Antony must leave her altogether,” to which Enobarbus responds, “Never; he will not do it” (II, ii, 234-235). The realization Enobarbus gains from his own words scares him since he no longer knows if he can trust his master's judgment. The logical dilemma this presents is that Enobarbus must ask himself whether he wants to stayloyal to this master or potentially change master. Enobarbus' meeting with Pompey is the first time Enobarbus shows respect for another potential master. He responds to Pompey’s praise with “I never loved you very much; but I praised you when you deserved ten times more than what I said” (II, vi, 77-79). Enobarbus slips by granting more respect than formality demands. This admission of respect for Pompey shows that Enobarbus could have respect for another master. The only saving grace of his statement is that he includes never having loved Pompey. An important part of the true relationship of loyalty between master and servant is that the servant must love his master. After meeting Pompey, Enobarbus has a discussion with Menas. In this discussion, Enobarbus reveals that he already knows the outcome of Antony's marriage to Octavia. He knows that Antony will return to Cleopatra and that Caesar will use him as justification for war. Enobarbus thinks that Antony is stupid in his lustful pursuit of Cleopatra since he does not consider the long-term consequences. These consequences include the death of thousands and the loss of an empire. Antony is willing to risk them in order to obtain short-term physical gratification. Antony's selfishness disgusts Enobarbus more and more as they get closer to war. When Antony is finally on the verge of war with Caesar, faithful to Enobarbus's premonitions, it is his madness, the result of his relationship with Cleopatra, which causes his downfall. Cleopatra encourages Antony to engage in a naval battle with Caesar. This is a bad decision because Antony is an excellent land general and less good at sea. Even though he knows he would have to meet Caesar on land, Antony's ego makes him want to impress Cleopatra, and he agrees. therefore to meet Caesar at sea. The other danger of the war plan is that Cleopatra intends to fight with Antony. Enobarbus knows that this is extremely dangerous, since Cleopatra is so capable of influencing Antony. Enobarbus must now accept that he may be on the losing side. He nevertheless remains faithful. He tries to deal with this situation by trying to dissuade Cleopatra from participating in the battle. Cleopatra refuses to listen to him. When that doesn't work, Enobarbus desperately tries to dissuade Antony from participating in a naval battle by explaining to him the military folly of it. To Enobarbus' elegant argument, Antony responds: "I will fight at sea" (III, vii, 49). Cleopatra is happy with this and promises her help in what will become the Battle of Actium. During the battle, when Antony is on the verge of victory, Cleopatra, viewing the war as just a game, turns around and walks away. Antony, helplessly following Cleopatra, turns and sails after her, causing her to lose the battle. This causes deep humiliation for Antoine and degrades his status as master. After being informed of the battle, Enobarbus declares: "I will always follow the wounded chance of Antony, even if my reason turns against me" (III, x, 35-37). Enobarbus is at a point where he can no longer justify his loyalty. In fact, his human ability to reason tells him that he should no longer be loyal, but he still feels an inexplicable loyal attachment to Antoine. This attachment is the effect of unwavering loyalty, but Enobarbus does not realize it. When Antony begins to ridicule his defeat at the Battle of Actium, Enobarbus is furious. He cannot understand how his master could mock such a great loss of respect and pride. He also knows that Antony would not behave this way without Cleopatra. Enobarbus is so disappointed that he poses a dilemma; “Well-guarded loyalty to fools makes our simple faith mad: yet he whocan bear to follow with allegiance a fallen lord vanquishes one who has conquered his master and gains a place in history” (III, xiii). , 42-46). On the one hand, Enobarbus sees that he follows a fool to become a master and that it takes an even greater fool to follow a fool. On the other hand, he recognizes that if he remains faithful, he has a chance to be more recognized. This choice places a fork in the path of Enobarbus. It is significant that at this point, even his choice to remain faithful is to fulfill his desires. This is the first time Enobarbus has put his desires ahead of Antony's needs. Shortly after, a messenger from Caesar arrives to Cleopatra to tempt her to join him. Cleopatra's incomprehensible response "O" (III, xiii, 59) makes Enobarbus fear that she is ready to betray Antony. His inexplicable loyalty kicks in and he goes straight to tell Anotony. Antony has the messenger whipped and he scolds Cleopatra. Cleopatra passionately explains that she will never betray him. Antony believes her and trusts in her loyalty, the same loyalty that failed him during the Battle of Actium. Antony is easily convinced only by his lustful desire for Cleopatra: “Let us have another garish night” (III, XIII, 183). Enobarbus is in disbelief that he witnessed this. He ultimately decides that what is in his best interest is to leave Antoine; :"I will look for a way to leave him" (III, xiii, 200-201). Enobarbus chooses the fork in the path away from loyalty. This mistake is made because Enobarbus does not understand the full value of her loyalty and cannot truly leave her. Enobarbus hides his emotions and favors common sense. Even though Enobarbus thinks Antony has lost all sense, Antony somewhat proves him wrong by giving the moral speech to his men. Antoine congratulates all his men for their loyalty. This makes his men cry. Enobarbus also cries, but his tears sting since he has already made the decision to defect. Unfortunately, this speech is not enough to bring Enobarbus back since he has already taken the wrong path. Antony's decision to fight at sea again ultimately moves Enobarbus to Caesar's camp. When Antony discovers that Enobarbus has betrayed him, he is heartbroken. He tells Eros, another loyal soldier, to send all his rightful treasure to Enobarbus. He sees Enobarbus' betrayal as his own failure: "Say I wish he never found reason to change masters again." O my fortune has corrupted honest people” (IV, v, 15-17). Even before receiving his treasure, Enobarbus realizes that he has made a mistake: “I have done evil of which I accuse myself so strongly that I will no longer rejoice” (IV, vi, 18-20). Enobarbus becomes depressed when he realizes his mistake and understands that he can no longer return to Antony. Once Enobarbus receives his treasure, it seals his fate. Enobarbus considers himself “the villain of the earth” (IV, vi, 30). Enobarbus realizes that true loyalty, based on love, is eternal and cannot be betrayed. He discovers that his loyalty to Antoine is true loyalty. Yet he, Enobarbus, betrayed his master. The only possible repercussion for disregarding true loyalty is death. Enobarbus wanders in melancholy madness, constantly denigrating himself until he dies of grief. In his final moments, Enobarbus has a fantastic conversation with Antony where he attempts to apologize. However, he does not ask for absolution. He fully understands the gravity of his actions and is waiting to die. His last request is “that the world classify me in the register of outgoing masters and fugitives” (IV, ix, 21-22). Enobarbus hates himself. He feels like he has committed the most despicable crime known to man. He turns out to be a detestable individual. Enobarbus is.